World’s shortest man: From Junrey Balawing to Khagendra Thapa Magar - past holders of the title

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With Chandra Bahadur Dangi today being named as the world's shortest man, ( read more here), we look back at some of the previous holders of the title.

Chandra's incredible measurements mean he now takes over from Junrey Balawing, (above), as the planet's smallest man.

Junrey, from Sindangan, a coastal village in the southern Philippines, became eligible for the record in June last year when he celebrated his 18th birthday.

Measuring 23.6 inches (59.93cm) in height, Junrey weighs just 5kgs.

At birth, he was the size of a 1-litre coke bottle. His mother only started to suspect something was not right when Junrey was four years old as his friends began to outgrow him. The family sought advice and he was given medication to strengthen his bones, but these made no difference.

Chendra isn't the first person to hold the world's smallest man title - Khagendra Thapa Magar, a dance troupe member, took the crown in October 2010 after measuring just 67.08 cm (2 ft 2.41 in) on his 18th birthday.

Coming from a country best known for having the world's highest mountain, Thapa has gone on to arguably become as big an attraction.

He now works as a goodwill ambassador for the region, helping to promote tourism.

Tharpa's predecessor, Edward Nino Hernandez of Columbia had one of the briefest spells as shortest living mobile man, with his reign lasting just six months.

Measuring 70.21 cm (2 ft 3.46 in) in April 2010, Edward has recently embarked on a career in acting.

A big fan of Reggaeton music, he previously earned money by dancing in department stores.

His hobbies include keeping fit, dressing up and impersonating Michael Jackson, and (no pun intended), the superhero TV show Smallville.

Edward had to fill the shoes of He Pingping, one of the most iconic Guinness World Records record holders of all time, who sadly passed away in 2010 at the age of 21.

Pingping was born in 1988 in Wulanchabu, China, with a form of primordial dwarfism, and was officially recognised as the world's shortest man in 2008 after measuring a tiny 74.61 cm (2 ft 5.37 in).

He went on to become a worldwide superstar, making numerous public appearances across the globe.

Recalling their first meeting, Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor-in-chief says: "From the moment I laid on eyes on him, I knew he was someone special - he had such a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, you couldn't help but be charmed by him.

"He brightened up the lives of everyone he met, and was an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual. For such a small man, he made a huge impact around the world."